Muscle Pain
Muscle pain or Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a condition that affects the muscles and fascia.
This condition usually occurs in association with pain generated from another source. This is an unfortunate consequence of how our bodies attempt to compensate for the initial pain generator.Fascia is a thin, white connective that covers every muscle.
There are also primary muscular pain syndromes, most commonly fibromyalgia but also pain related to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and hypermobility spectrum disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Evaluation and treatment
After an evaluation for an underlying source of pain and treatment of systemic inflammation, muscle pain is typically treated with the goal of restoring muscle strength and balance at affected joints in an effort to correct disuse or abnormal postures used to control pain.
For those with primary muscle pain and a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, an attitude of persistence is necessary both for the patient and clinician, as all therapies don’t uniformly work equally for each patient and it’s usually through a combination of therapies unique to each patient that we achieve our best outcomes.
Common Symptoms
Every patient is unique, which is why everyone’s myofascial pain syndrome symptoms are unique as well. You may experience a constant, dull, lingering pain that isn’t unbearable but is a constant discomfort. At other times, you may have a “flare-up” in which your pain comes on suddenly.
Other symptoms include:
- Deep aching, throbbing, tight, or stiff pain in your affected muscles
- Trigger points, like a small bump, nodule, or knot in a muscle that triggers pain when touched, or even when it’s not touched
- Tender or sore muscles
- Weakness in the affected muscle(s)
- Reduced range of motion in affected areas
There are other issues that may coincide with myofascial pain syndrome:
- Headaches
- Poor sleep
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Fatigue
Diagnosis
Successful treatment of muscle pain hinges on a precise diagnosis.
Getting this diagnosis can be complicated by a variety of factors, but our team is persistent and we won’t rest until we understand the root cause of your pain. After your diagnosis, we will review your treatment options and seek to minimize the risk and maximize your chance of achieving a long-term reduction in your pain.
